How have American movie theaters evolved over the decades? In the early days of the so-called "talkies," many people were involved in the ancillary business of the screening. Organs played music along with silent films. Theater directors introduced films before they started spinning reels. Theatergoers met up in elegantly appointed lobbies to discuss culture and politics before sitting down. As movies became a more egalitarian art form, theaters were revamped to accommodate for more "private" experiences. The 1950s saw the rise of drive-in theaters. Moviegoers could park their cars in a lot and watch a picture projected onto a big screen. Modern culture romanticizes the drive-in, but many critics of the time complained that such theaters lacked adequate safety and amenities. Classic movie theaters abound, particularly in Los Angeles, CA. On a small stretch of Hollywood Boulevard, you can find Mann's Chinese Theater and the Egyptian Theater, both of which played enormous roles in film history. Mann's Chinese features a cemented walkway out in front with handprints and footprints from movie stars and directors, dating back to the '20s. Southeast of Hollywood Boulevard, you can stop off at the ArcLight Theater on Sunset Boulevard. This modern theater is a favorite of L.A. natives and the home of many opening screenings. ArcLight tickets cost slightly more than conventional movie theater tickets, but fans of this theater love the convenient parking, exceptional amenities, and deep bucket seats. Some collectors gather ticket stubs, posters, and other ephemera from movie theaters. A few old cinema buffs also collect theater records and pictures of venerable film buildings. | 
